20/12/2021
Mediterranean landscapes have been evolving under the stress of summer drought, low soil nutrient availability, fire, tectonic instability, and human developments. The plant communities in such systems have been coping with natural perturbations, hence developing morphological, physiological, and phenological adaptations for millions of years. Thus, the arid Eastern Mediterranean ecosystems provide important models for searching new paradigms relating design with ecosystem resiliency and sustainability. What are the role and the responsibility of the landscape designer in shaping the future of such complex ecosystems at various scales? How can we set the standard for biodiversity, sustainable materials, and ecological aesthetics in critical landscapes? These were the questions that we asked ourselves when we were designing a 5300 sq.m., degraded, arid landscape in Eastern Mediterranean Turkey. team has worked with to develop a water-sensitive and climate-positive landscape and architectural design. The first phase of the project has recently emerged with promising outcomes. More to come...
